We love any excuse for some crafty activities and seeing as Valentines Day is coming up we thought we’d share some of our favourites.

These activities can also be reused for other special occasions such as Birthdays, Fathers Day and Mothers Day. We’ve made it easy for you and linked the printables you require within the blog.

We hope you have fun getting crafty with your little ones.

Valentines Day Salt Dough

What do you need?

2 cups of plain flour

1 cup of salt

3/4 to 1 cup water

Mod Podge or other clear glaze (to seal)

Glitter, paint, glue (to decorate)

 

Instructions

1. Mix the salt and flour together

2. Add the water gradually and mix well

3. Knead on the bench until smooth

4. Roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to make shapes

5. Press hand into dough to make a handprint

6. Use a straw to make a hole for hanging (if desired)

7. Bake in the oven at 200 degrees Celcius for about 30 minutes until hard

8. Once cool, use glue and glitter and paint to decorate

9. Once decorations have set, seal with a clear glaze

 

LOVEly Playdough

What do you need?

2 cups plain flour

1 cup salt

1 tbs oil

1/2 cup cold water

red food colouring

essential oil of your choice (a few drops)

 

Instructions

1. Combine flour and salt in one bowl

2. Add oil, water, essential oil and food colouring in another bowl

3. Knead well until combined. If too wet, add more flour

 

Handprint Poem

What do you need?

You can download our template here

Paint

 

Instructions

1. Print out the poem

2. Paint your little ones hand in paint and place the handprint in the top section

3. Write their name or get them to have a go at signing the poem down the bottom

 

Love you to Pieces Card

What do you need?

You can download our template here

Paper (coloured paper or magazine paper or newspaper or collage pieces)

Glue

 

Instructions

1. Print out the template

2. Show your little one how to tear up the paper into pieces and glue onto the heart. (Tearing paper is GREAT for developing fine motor strength. These are the muscles that are important for learning how to hold a pencil correctly) You can also use pieces of washi tape or dot stickers old artwork cut up into tiny pieces. 

3. Get your little one to draw a picture or write a special message inside for the lucky recipient

Dotty Hearts

What do you need?

Our template (available for download here)

Pens, Dot Markers or Crayons

Instructions

Use coloured markers to colour in the hearts. This is a great colour matching activity for younger children.